I'm either getting a tatula or a chronarch e5 for crankbaits. Which of these two reels are smoother? I'm very picky about my reels being solid and smooth. Also which one is a better overall reel for crankbaits. I'm thinking chronarch because I've seen some bad reviews about the.tatula and not many bad about the chronarch. and the chronarch/curado e is a legendary reel. Thanks

Also any other suggestions would be appreciated.

chronarch has been around longer - has a solid record - TT did a good review on tatulas - you're going to get folks on both sides but the chronarch has the creds to this date.

Six in one, half dozen in the other. Very similar, one with t wing. Just choose which braking system you want.

Cant go wrong with either...i myself prefer the brakes on the chronarch

The Tatula has really long casting ability with the T wing. I throw my medium cranks on a Tatula  type R and it really allows you to cover water well. It casts just as far if not farther than my shimano core plus it has larger line capacity. I can't speak for the Chronarch so I don't know about the smooth factor. Its not as smooth as the core but there's a large price discrepancy there. It is a lot smoother than my revo stx 3rd gen which is in that same $199 price category. I think you would probably be best off following the post above though, go with the reel that has the brakes your most comfortable with, their both high quality reels.

You can read a review of both of these products on Tackletour. The chronarch is a recolor of a curado e5 which won their crankbait war review so I recommend that one.  Either way, I don't think you can go wrong since they are both excellent reels. 

Chronarch for me.

 

They are equal in smoothness IMO, but the chronarch has a much lighter spool and I love the ease of casting that the VBS braking system allows.